U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is fairly transparent about the amount of time it needs to process requests. However, individuals can still be confused by the way that a form may need different amounts of processing time depending on how it has been completed. For example, processing Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, can take anywhere from two weeks to five months, based on the type of worker that will be employed.

You can use the chart below to determine how much time USCIS will need in order to complete processing your immigration form. Look up specific petitions or applications by their USCIS designations (I-130, I-129, I-90, etc.) using the column on the left, or by finding the name of the form listed in the center column. After you have located your form, you can find your reason for filing, which will tell you how long USCIS will need to complete your request — although the processing may take additional time if USCIS finds that there that there are problems with your application or its supporting documentation.

Processing Times below are based on average wait time by USCIS Form number. Processing Times do vary depending on USCIS Service Center location where USCIS form was filed.

USCIS Form

USCIS Form Title

Purpose for Filing USCIS Form

Estimated Processing Time:

I-485

Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status

Employment-based adjustment applications

4 Months

I-130

Petition for Alien Relative

Permanent resident filling for a spouse or child under 21

5 Months

I-130

Petition for Alien Relative

U.S. citizen filing for a spouse, parent, or child under 21

5 Months

I-130

Petition for Alien Relative

U.S. citizen filing for an unmarried son or daughter over 21

27 Sep 07

I-130

Petition for Alien Relative

Permanent resident filling for an unmarried son or daughter over 21

7 May 10

I-130

Petition for Alien Relative

U.S. citizen filing for a married son or daughter over 21

1 Jun 10

I-130

Petition for Alien Relative

U.S. citizen filing for a brother or sister

25 Apr 07

I-140

Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker

Extraordinary ability

21 Mar 11

I-140

Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker

Outstanding professor or researcher

21 Mar 11

I-140

Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker

Multinational executive or manager

21 Mar 11

I-140

Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker

Advanced degree or exceptional ability

4 Months

I-140

Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker

Skilled worker or professional

4 Months

I-140

Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker

Unskilled worker

16 Mar 11

I-140

Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker

Advanced degree or exceptional ability requesting a National Interest Waiver

Because forms I-130, I-140, and I-129 can be completed for a number of different purposes, it is very important to be sure that you have filled out your form correctly. Submitting a petition under the wrong category will increase the amount of time that USCIS needs to process your immigration form request.